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Kindle’s Agent Not Expecting Long-Term Deal

Now that Ravens linebacker Sergio Kindle has been cleared for football contact for the first time since sustaining a head injury last summer and is expected to participate in training camp, the next question is obvious:

What will his contract look like?

Kindle’s agent, Joel Segal, understands that his client has to demonstrate he can not only handle football contact, but also prove he’s still a special player, before talks of a long-term contract can begin.

“No, I don’t think we’ll do long-term right now,” Segal told Vinny Cerrato and Ken Weinman on 105.7 The Fan yesterday. “Once Sergio sees the Sergio Kindle who was the special player at Texas, that he’s healthy, that he’s ready to roll, the difference-maker that we know he will be if he’s healthy, I think at that point, hopefully we’ll have a conversation.”

Despite not expecting Kindle to play at all in 2010, the Ravens still signed Kindle last September to a reported one-year deal worth the standard rookie salary of $320,000.

The Ravens put faith in Kindle’s return, and now that he will be back, he has a big year ahead. He must prove the team’s faith was warranted and that he is ultimately deserving of a longer-term deal.

“Serg was obviously on a small contract [last year], and hopefully, once he’s healthy and ready to go, it will be a contract we expect,” said Segal.

“He has been working out hard, he’s obviously extra hungry. He’s focused, ready. You know, now he’s just got to get some contact and show everybody that he’s the old Sergio Kindle.”

Baltimore May Be ‘Hurt’ By Free Agency Changes

With rumors swirling that the next collective bargaining agreement will move unrestricted free agency back from six years unrestricted to four, the market will become much more exciting with the added marquee free agents who’ll now be available.

The only problem for the Ravens is that their own players will make up a large number of those marquee free agents that teams will covet and pursue.

That’s why when asked which teams will be most hurt by the potential free agency change, NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora was quick to name the Ravens.

“It’s going to create a lot of work for some front offices,” said La Canfora. “Baltimore is one in particular.”

The NFL analyst sees the biggest impact occurring on the offensive line, where Marshal Yanda, Chris Chester and Jared Gaither could all become unrestricted.

I published this list on Wednesday when the rumors first began, but it bears repeating. These are Ravens players whose status will change from restricted to unrestricted should the reports prove true.

G/C Chris Chester

OT Jared Gaither

SS Dawan Landry

FB Le’Ron McClain

OT Tony Moll

DT Haloti Ngata

CB Josh Wilson

OT/G Marshal Yanda.

Training Camp Rosters Could Expand To 90

Here’s some good news for General Manager Ozzie Newsome and Head Coach John Harbaugh’s staffs.

The NFL is reportedly considering an expansion of training camp rosters from 80 to 90 players prior to the 2011 season.

With the lockout breaking the 100-day barrier, teams didn’t get the chance to train and evaluate players during offseason mini-camps and organized team activities. Adding extra bodies in training camp will afford teams a greater opportunity to decide in whom they are interested.

Plus, the move would benefit the players in that 300 more would get a shot at making an NFL roster. With more bodies, that should also cut down on a rash of injuries some analysts are expecting due to the lack of team activities during the lockout.

"I don’t know anyone in my position who wouldn’t support it," one general manager told La Canfora. "We’d love to be able to bring 90 in (for training camp). And from the players’ side, it’s more opportunities for them."

Quick Hits

Scouts Inc.’s Matt Williamson breaks down the Ravens’ safeties, saying Ed Reed is the second-best safety in the league, Dawan Landry should command a large contract, Tom Zbikowski is ready to start and Haruki Nakamura is a core special teams player. [ESPN]

“Football readiness” factored into the decision to move training camp from McDaniel College to the Ravens’ practice facility in Owings Mills. Said Ravens President Dick Cass: "We were also concerned about football readiness. We don’t know when [the lockout] will end. We may need every hour we can get." [The Baltimore Sun]